After word spread around Thorney Island about Stronstad's comfortable victory against a mixture of army chefs and soldiers, the mighty Stronstad were invited back to play against the army regimental football team in a mid-week game. The weather was a lot cooler than the last game Stronstad played and after some rain during the day the pitch was a little softer.
Stronstad were a full strength with 7 subs for this tough looking game with the opponents having about 22 players to pick from.
Playing a 4-5-1 formation this meant that Stronstad were trying to get the wingers Dan Moore and James Clarke more involved in the game and to support Steve Beech but he was getting very little service as the two big army centre backs clearing the danger.
From the early whistle a fitter and stronger army team put Stronstad under some heavy pressure in the opening 15 minutes which saw Stronstad looking nervous and miss-placing passes which saw the army retaining the ball. When Stronstad managed to settle down and pass the ball around they slowly started to get back into the game but never really tested the army goalkeeper. The usually dangerous James Clarke was forced out of action early in the game after being involved in a heavy clash with an army player.
The first goal came after 20 minutes as Stronstad forced a corner and from the resulting corner from Luke Roystone, caused panic in the army defence with Jeff Needham keeping the ball alive and from 6 yards out Dave George flicked the ball into the roof of the net to make the score 1-0.
This goal settled Stronstad down but had to be aware of the army's quick breaks as they pushed for the equaliser. The army almost pulled a goal back from a very smart free kick but the ball was blazed over.
Stronstad then punished the army with a well-worked second goal. Roger Campbell who played the ball to Robert Pearson who then slipped Rod Robertson in won the ball in midfield. Rod then squared the ball for Mark Betteridge who slotted home at the far post to make the score 2-0. This goal lifted the Stronstad team but really the army goalkeeper made a pig's ear of the shot and should have saved it.
Just before half time the army pulled a goal back after Ian Privett had made some smart saves but could not keep the ball from going in.
Half Time: - Army Regimental Team 1 Stronstad Utd 2
As Stronstad discussed the game the army team went back to the changing room for their half time talk and for the looks of it they were given a kick.
In the opening exchanges in the second half the army were using the wind to their advantage and we attacking the two full backs with Gary Cowell being beaten on two occasions but as the army player got into the box he saw his effort flash wide and another effort was cleared by Jorge Morrison-Cooke at the far post when an army player was lurking. When Stronstad did get going they could not test the army goalkeeper with some long range shots going wide of the target
The army were turning the screw and tried to get back into the game but as an army player took a tumble in the Stronstad penalty area the referee waved away the appeals as Stronstad cleared the danger.
The Stronstad back four were being put under some heavy pressure from the area but were unable to break the stuborn defence down lead by captain Gareth Spicer and his defensive partners of Jeff Needham, Gary Cowell, Jorge Morrison-Cooke, Rich Gillam, Paul McKay and Jon Way holding firm and protecting Ian Privett.
Nick Crocker was winning some very important headers in centre of midfield, which helped Dave George and Rod Robertson move forward to support the strikers. When Stronstad got the ball down and passed it around they opened up the army defence and from a swift counter attack a great cross field ball from Dave George released Rod Robertson but his cross was too close to the army keeper who got down well to save.
With time running out for the army they were getting desperate and with a little help from the referee they were winning free kicks in dangerous areas around the edge of the Stronstad box but on two occasions the Stronstad wall stayed firm and clearing the danger.
The referee called an end to a very hard fought victory for Stronstad as they gear up for the season opener at the end of August.
Full Time: - The Army Regimental Team 1 Stronstad Utd 2
this victory was another confidence lifter for the team who are looking to build on last seasons 4th place finish. As for the result the army has challenged Stronstad again in late September.
Stronstad’s next outing is possibly against Westbourne FC on the 8th August. Details to follow
